Revalidation explained

Revalidation explained

The GPhC's new revalidation has begun. Under the new system pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must submit their CPD records before their annual registration expires or risk not being allowed to practise. Here we explain what's happening, why and what you need to do next. Just click on the numbers above to find out more.

Key facts

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be required to submit four CPD entries when they renew their GPhC registration in the year from October 31, 2018

From 2019, all registrants will also be required to submit a peer discussion and a reflective account as part of the registration renewal process

1. What's happening?

Revalidation has replaced the continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for everyone registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Revalidation is the process by which a supervisory body - in this case the GPhC - confirms that the professionals it regulates are fit to practise. This means that not only must pharmacists' and pharmacy technicians' knowledge be up to date, but they must have the attitude and behaviours required to provide safe and effective care.

Revalidation also provides assurance to those who use pharmacy services that pharmacy professionals are meeting the required standards throughout their career.

2. Essential information

When pharmacy professionals renew their GPhC registration they must now submit "revalidation records".

There are three types of revalidation records:

CPD entries to encourage reflective practice

Peer discussions, which enable the individual to consider his or her work with someone who understands their role

Reflective accounts, to explain how the professional believes they meet one or more of the GPhC's professional standards.

On June 6, uptodate.org.uk will be shut down permanently and all content deleted. The only way to keep any logs will be to print them off before that date.

A new portal - myGPhC - has been set up so registrants will be able to complete and submit all revalidation records and renew their registration.

3. Timeline

All pharmacy professionals will receive an email from the GPhC that includes a personal timeline.

In the first year of revalidation, registrants will need to carry out and record four CPD entries and submit them when renewing their registration. The first group to do this will be those whose registration renewal deadline is October 31, 2018.

The following year, the full revalidation requirements kick in, so registrants will need to submit four CPD entries plus one peer discussion and one reflective account when renewing their GPhC registration.

Individuals with a registration renewal deadline of October 31, 2019, will be the first group to do this.

4. Peer discussion

The GPhC has drawn up a form for recording peer discussions, which involves writing down the name, job and contact details of the peer (so they can be contacted as part of the review process to confirm that the conversation took place), and describing how the discussion changed the pharmacy professional’s practice for the better. This should include examples of beneficial outcomes for end-users of the individual's services and can include feedback.

There is no set format for peer discussions. They can take place face-to-face, over the phone, by video calling or web chat, for example. A "peer" can be a fellow pharmacy professional, a colleague who works in the same field, a mentor, or even a group of peers or an expert patient.

The main thing is to choose someone - rather than having an individual allocated - who is able to talk about a pharmacist's or technician's work in a constructive manner. This is also the reason to plan peer discussions, rather than them occurring spontaneously.

5. Reflective account

Individuals cannot choose which GPhC standard will form the basis of their reflective account. The standard(s) to write about will be set by the GPhC each year. The account should briefly describe the registrant's work and users of services, and give one or more examples that illustrate how the chosen standard(s) has or have been met. Not only does this encourage reflective practice but it also helps increase awareness and understanding of the standards as a whole.

6. CPD entries

Pharmacy professionals will be required to submit four CPD records each year, which can be planned or unplanned. At least two must be planned activities.

The new format is simpler than the Reflection-Planning-Action-Evaluation cycle, with entries for planned CPD asking just three questions, and logs for unplanned CPD asking only two.

Entries for planned learning must cover the following:

New knowledge, skills or perhaps a different way of doing something. It should either prepare the individual for a new service or role, or better equip them to fulfill their current responsibilities. There should also be an explanation of how this learning will benefit service users

The way in which the learning will be completed. A range of activities is encouraged (as has always been the way for CPD entries)

How it has benefited service users. Pharmacy professionals will be expected to explain how they have put their learning into practice - for example, being able to provide a new service, or being more confident about being able to answer questions on a certain topic. Feedback can be included, although patient confidentiality should be protected.

Entries for unplanned CPD must cover:

The activity or event that presented the opportunity to learn something new or refresh understanding. This should be specific (for example, reference to an article in a journal) and the registrant should explain what knowledge and skills have been acquired as a result

How the learning has benefited service users (as in planned CPD).

7. Common concerns

What happens when a registrant submits his/her records as part of the registration renewal process?

The first thing that will be done is a check to ensure the correct number and type of records have been submitted. Then some will be selected for review - either randomly or in a more targeted manner - in which case the pharmacy professional will be notified and subsequently receive personalised feedback, which should inform subsequent submissions.Everyone will receive summary feedback of the reviews that have taken place, which again may prove helpful.

What if I can't get everything done?

Anyone who is unable to submit all or some of the records required when they renew their registration will need to notify the GPhC and provide evidence as to the reason why (e.g. being signed off sick from work or taking maternity leave).

Two things may happen after this. The pharmacy professional will either:

Be allowed to renew their registration, albeit with a reduced number of records or with a deadline extension

Be asked to submit as normal (i.e. the set number of records by the renewal deadline) and will be able to appeal against this decision if unable to do so.

What if I get it all wrong?

If the GPhC decides that a registrant hasn’t met its core criteria (i.e. the records haven’t been submitted or haven't met expectations in some way), in the majority of cases there will be another opportunity to submit or revise revalidation records.

These will then be reviewed but if the core criteria are still not being met, the GPhC will start taking steps to remove the individual from the register. The registrant will be given the chance to supply further information that may affect the process and has the right to appeal.

If I'm struck off the register can I reapply to join?

The GPhC will ask to see a person’s revalidation records as part of the reapplication process.

8. Revalidation support

Thousands of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are already using The Pharmacy Network. Why?

You can record, save and edit your CPD, reflective accounts and peer discussions in a personal learning log that stays with you throughout your career

You can access an extensive library of clinical, practice and management CPD content accessible on all desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

Register today for free to unlock the UK's most widely used online pharmacy learning system and find your solution to revalidation.

You can learn, record and save your peer discussion, reflective account and CPD entries here.

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